Crossings closure affects markets in bordering provinces

The closure of Torkham crossing has created many problems for residents and businessmen in a number of provinces located along the Durand Line, local businessmen and residents said.

They said businessmen in the provinces have to buy goods in Afghani currency while selling them in Pakistani rupees.

“We are selling goods with Pakistani rupees but we purchase them with Afghani from other provinces and by changing the Pakistani currency from to Afghani. Therefore, we face losses,” said Mohammad Allah a businessman in Helmand.

Meanwhile, money exchangers in Shahzada Market said the problems of the residents will increase if the use of Pakistani rupees is not prevented in their areas.

“Government must have strong determination for preventing use of Pakistani rupee other people will face lots of losses,” said Shahzada market spokesman Zerak.

Central Bank officials said the use of Pakistani rupees is in not in favor of the people and that the bank is not responsible for the losses of businessmen due to use of the Pakistani currency.

“The Central Bank is not responsible to pay compensation while people are in loss because we continue our efforts to be responsible only for Afghani curency's stability,” the Central Bank spokesman Aimal Hashor said.

One factor of the Afghan conflict is the Afghan government's failure to maintain a balance in its foreign policy. The imbalanced foreign policies of governments have paved the ground for Afghanistan to turn into a battlefield of proxy wars.